1
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something
checked in with the security guard at the gate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
4
as in defense
means or method of defending
the boxer's sparring partner managed to get a blow in under his left guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in guide
one that accompanies another for protection, guidance, or as a courtesy
the honor guards raised their sabers as the happy couple descended the church steps
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in defender
someone that protects
a battalion of burly guards surrounding the celebrity
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from
guard the quarterback so he doesn't get sacked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to blockade
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point
a fire-breathing dragon guarded the entrance to the castle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of guard
Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Pro Football Focus rated Savaiinaea the worst guard in the NFL last season among 81 qualifiers.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Let conversation improve the work instead of guarding it too tightly.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for guard
Noun
Roxy x Juicy Couture will launch a 25-piece collection Wednesday, featuring bikinis, rash guards, bucket hats, platform flip-flops, tracksuits and board shorts.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Pro Football Focus rated Savaiinaea the worst guard in the NFL last season among 81 qualifiers.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Verb
Among them, Musselman brought in Aussie stretch big Joshua Hughes from Evansville, wing/forward Jadis Jones from Lindenwood and guards Isaac Bruns from South Dakota and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor from Hawaii.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Let conversation improve the work instead of guarding it too tightly.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for guard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for guard
Noun
-
Of course, none of this would be possible if the DOJ and Blanche happened to remember the department’s own function as the ostensible guardian of the rule of law.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
In California, babies between 15 days and 6 months can only work for 20 minutes at a time and spend two hours on set per day; also mandatory is a nurse, a guardian and a studio teacher, who ensures the baby’s wellbeing is looked after.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The law, which 72% of voters supported, has put Democrat lawmakers and their supporters on the defensive, and in the process pitted Auditor Diana DiZoglio against the Legislature’s leadership and the state attorney general.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
-
McCarthy reached for Shakespeare’s words while on the defensive in the Army-McCarthy hearings.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That could also include Weber State’s Gavin Ortega, a versatile 6-foot-5 piece who sports golden-blonde locks flowing from the back of his helmet.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
-
Gone are the manual clamps or twist locks.—
Robb Rice,
Robb Report,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Combined with anemic fundraising, a payment to her former criminal defense lawyer left her with just $11,000 in cash in her campaign account as of March 31.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Hamilton may face Senate scrutiny over his lack of experience leading an emergency management agency, though his defense of FEMA’s federal role has earned respect among disaster management professionals.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Dramatic video recorded by a mountain guide near the crater of Mount Dukono showed a massive column of smoke and ash billowing above the volcano.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Then be sure to read our beginner's guide to photographing the Milky Way, along with our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Jokanovic had collected 14 kills by the time the third set had ended, and one of them grazed the top of two Ball State defenders’ heads before hitting the court for the set-winner in the third frame.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
San Diego opened the scoring early in the second half as Dudinha’s shot went in off a deflection from defender Sarah Gorden in the 49th minute.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Uthmeier has also argued that the government has a duty to protect children who didn’t have a say in not being raised by both biological parents.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
The Administration’s lawyer, James Powers, argued that the Warrington guidance would protect the groups’ interest in insuring that records remain available.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Iran has continued to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and the United States has blockaded the country’s ports.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
Iran still has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments, and America is blockading Iranian ports.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/guard. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
